In an age in which even women have caught the fever to push for personal advancement and honor- in politics, business, in the arts, and even in Christian service—it is important for all of us to stop and consider God's principles regarding leadership. Leadership and influence are always on God s terms, doing things God s way. We need godly leadership in the home, in our churches, and in our nation. TO those who are in leadership positions may all these following principles taken from I Samuel be a help and encouragement to you.

1. Notice that leadership always involves commitment. In the case of Samuel, it was first the commitment of his mother to the Lord and then later his personal commitment to serve the Lord. In I Samuel 1:11 Samuel's mother said, "I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life." And in verse 28 she said, "… I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." Then Samuel, himself, speaking in 1 Samuel 3:10 said "Speak; for thy servant heareth."

2. Leadership always involves having the right priorities. The Lord said to disobedient Eli in I Samuel 2:30, ". . . them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed"

3. Leadership involves obedience. Again God said of Eli in I Samuel 3:13, "…1 will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" And again in I Samuel 2:35 God said, "And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do ac- cording to all that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my anointed forever."

4. Personal advancement in leadership comes not from our own gifts and abilities, but from God. For in I Samuel 12:6 we read, "…It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt."

5. No one can properly have a place of leadership in spiritual matters without the power of God upon him. Notice that young Saul, frightened and ignorant, could not do the job God had for him, without God's power: For in I Samuel 10, 6, 9-10 we read, "…thou. . .shalt be turned into another man. . . .God gave him another heart. . . .the Spirit of God came upon him." Notice, too, that when Saul tried to act independently of the power of God and the will of God, he failed.

6. Our influence upon others, in the service of the Lord, will have to come from God: In I Samuel 10:26 we read, ". . .there went with him (Saul) a band of men, whose hearts God had touched"

7. God often gives us another chance to serve Him, even when we have sinned and come to Him in genuine repentance: In I Samuel 12:20 we read, "Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart"

8. An important part of leadership is prayerful concern for those for whom we are responsible: in I Samuel 12:33 we read, "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way."

May God's blessing be upon you this week as you read and meditate from Proverbs 22:28 on “Do not Remove the Ancient Landmarks.” To easily access the Weekly SERMON message, go to and click on the http:// link at the bottom of this page.

In His Amazing Grace,

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